Customer Reviews

Look Who's Here

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mr. malone's latest album is smooth, relaxed, and nice background music for a swinging summer evening. it evokes the mood of rocking on the front porch as the moon rises-- the songs are easy, but keep the toes tapping. mr. malone is a gifted guitarist who knows the traditon of montgomery, christian, and even benson, but rather than mimic his forebears, he has styled his own voice that swings, but also knows funk. highlights are the opening "angle," a wonderful spin on the chestnut "get out of town," and a great reading of the "odd couple." the album certainly has its share of high points, but overall the material is not as strong as his previous impulse release "sweet georgia peach." still, this is a very pleasant album.

Where is Mark Whitfield (sp?) and all the great guitarists? Mr. Malone is a decent jazz guitarist, but I heard he's really great at playing the blues. After hearing this CD, I felt Mr. Malone should work on his chops a little more. He isn't listening to the band, he's just playing patterns and hoping he'll hit a "bull's eye" while jamming. I heard his other CDs are a lot better. I'm afraid to buy anything else from this guy. I don't want to get burned.

I guess if you're able to get with a popular band, you become a success on your own. I wish I could jam with Joshua Redman, or Chick Corea. Maybe someone would recognize my skills. We can dream, can't we.

Someone granted Mr. Malone with a great wish. One day he didn't become a great jazz musician, but he got close. Anyway, with several CDs under his belt, he became a top jazz musician to the world. He should practice more.

I'm going to amend my review, as of Dec. 14, 2007. I just checked out a few youtube videos of Mr. Malone and I'll have to say - the man has chops. Whether this is the right CD to get those chops is questionable, but Mr. Malone is a really good guitarist. Check out the reviews on his other Cd's, because this CD is good in a different way. If you really want to hear some good stuff, check out his youtubes. He sounds great with Diana Krall.

This is a fine album. Malone is a wonderful guitarist. But it's not "Sweet Georgia Peach," one of the jewels of our time. It simply lacks a certain inspiration. And it's flawed by the last cut, in which Malone (sort of) sings. Chet Baker or Les McCann he ain't! And there is a technical flaw to the cut that people with good audio equipment will find truly irritating.

As a jazz guitarist you always listen for what you can learn from someone, what they do well and not well. Russell is an amazing talent when it comes to chord melody playing. His voicings, along with slick tricks using harmonics makes for a beautiful addition to the standard approach to playing jazz guitar chord melody. What makes this CD difficult to listen to is his playing in time or with the rhythm section. His lines are mostly un inventive and have a very awkward feel. It does not have the feel of say, Grant Green or George Benson. It sounds as if his picking is not worked out well and subtracts from the over all rhythmic feel of the music. I would love to hear a record of just solo guitar from this artist!

I bought this CD as I left Russel Malone's recent concert in Salt Lake City, mainly because it had "Soulful Kisses" on it. While I enjoy the CD, it can't hold a candle to his live performance (which, if there was any justice in the world, would be released on CD). Russell's talent isn't shown properly, partly due to a seeming lack of energy all around and some less-than-stellar sidemen. This disc is great for fans and people looking for some great jazz guitar, but will be a major disappointment to anyone who has been fortunate enough to hear him live.

Malone is a fine player, but to me this record lacks the kind of vitality which, almost by definition, inheres in improvisational music. The tempos are too slow, and the band's performance sounds stilted in places - like a band that hasn't played a lot together, and which is therefore more concerned with avoiding "mistakes" than just cutting loose. Also, to me, the record sounds a tad over-produced - Malone has a such a nice, warm, ringing tone live, but Lipuma has flattened it, making it sound somewhat benign.